While entertaining, I typically feel the need to abandon the quirky and healthy recipes that I tend to prefer. The priority becomes maximum flavor and meeting everyone’s expectations. I suppose this makes me a good hostess? Shameless people pleaser?

Maybe it’s all my family’s fault. Either way, it definitely takes some chutzpah to serve holiday dishes that stray from your basic mashed potatoes, stuffing and green bean casserole. But there are ways to make the switch without sacrificing flavor and resorting to steamed broccoli.